Getting Technical About Transitions with Brad Jewett and Dana Hokana

Many elements of being at a large horse show like the Silver Dollar Circuit can be overwhelming to both horse and rider. Busy warm up pens, rushing to get ready, and show pen jitters are just a few elements that are not present when practicing at home, and can be the factors that mean success or failure in the show pen. Jewett and Hokana emphasize the need for the rider to be consistent and definite as the pathway to success in these situations. By deconstructing the elements of your ride you can create consistent patterns that can carry over from practice to the show pen. One of the main components necessary for every ride in every event is the transition. Both Jewett and Hokana agree that for transitions to be successful the rider needs to deconstruct the element. Brad breaks his transitions into three parts: Preparing your horse for the transition. Setting your horse up for the position of the transition and Physically asking for the transition. “Go through every piece of that transition. We want our horses belly to be up. If we are looking at the transition to a lope we want to shape our horses hip and then ask for the actual transition,” tells Jewett. He notes that the proper transition sets your horse up to be correct in that gate without resorting to fixing them a few strides in. Similarly Hokana also has a three step approach to the transition: Shape up Position Step off into it “You just have to focus on the details” encourages Hokana. When you’re moving into your transition she suggests you analyze the details “Is she coming up into my hand? Or is she getting on her front end? Is she squatting off my legs? Is she soft underneath?” “We are always sending a message to our horse. We are either sending them confidence or we’re telling them something is wrong. Our body language our breathing, our approach, how sharp we get with our hands, when we release is always telling them “you’re doing good” or “there is something to be worried about”. You can make or break your class based on the 10 minute warm up beforehand. All horses are in tune to us more than we realize,” advises Hokana The over encompassing advice from these experts here is to show your horse like you practice at home. “You have to be your best coach and your horse’s best coach,” says Hokana. Jewett mirrors that sentiment by urging exhibitors to refrain from “winging it, the more you have every step ready the better your presentation will be in the pen and the longer your horse will maintain the proper position”. They both stress riders to never compromise your transition for nerves or better rail position. Stay true to what you practice.